Assighos



Oct. 1,1927

C. J. KUHLKE APPARATUS FOR VULCANIZING INNER TUBES Filed Sept. 21, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. @no J /f//L/rf.

ATTORNEY.

met. 11, 1927. l

o. J. KUHLKE APPARATUS FOR VULGANIZING INNER TUBES Filed sept. 21. 192s 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENToR 07m AWM/fs.l

yA TTORNEY.

Patented Oct. ll, i927;

OTTO J. KUHLKE, or AKRON, oaio, AssIGNon fro erin nurture r/rAoHNn COMPANY,

` or AKRON, oit-11o, A conronerrou or oriro.

APPARATUS FOR VULCANIZING- INNER' TUBES.

Application filed September 2l, 1926, serial No. 136,817.

The present invention relates to apparatus for use in the vulcanization of inner tubes for pneumatic tires. y n

The object of the invention is to improve upon apparatus for this general purpose, to provide a form ofy vulcanizer which can be easily and quickly operatedand will cure tubes more rapidly and eiiiciently than prior forms of apparatus for the purpose. lt is also an object of the invention to devise va tube vulcanizer which will permit the insertion of the tube in such a manner as to eliminate all possibility of tube pinching` and reduce the rind or overfiow. c Y

Bythe use of the apparatus as shown and described, the labor attendant upon placing' the tubes within the vulcanizer and removing them therefrom is reduced to a minimum,

and a better quality and ,q'rade of' product is for the purpose of explaining' a single, practical embodiment of the invention, the scope of which is more fully to be pointed out in the description and claims. Changes and modifications, therefore, may be suggested to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains and such changes or modifi cations will be understood to be within the scopekof the invention as set f'orth inthe claims.

In the drawings in which one form of the invention is shown: Figure 1 is a front elevation-of the complete apparatus showingv thev vulcanizer in 'closed position andk 1n open position in dotted lines;

Figure 2 is a vertical section in the line 2-2 of Figure 1; and n Figure 3 is a somewhat enlarged section `of the lower portion of the apparatus on the section 8-3 of Figure 2.

One of the objects of the invention is te afford a device which isso designed that the tube can be easily andquickly placed within the mold, and in which the tube will seat largely by its own contractile properties. As a result there will be `no tendency for the `green unvulcanized tube ytobecorne pinched.

This manner of dividing the mold is different from prior types whichl have heretofore been dividedalong a plane parallel toor substantially parallel to the plane ofthe tube. The

Yments 3 and 4t, the former on the right and the ylatter on the left, the several sections, when brought together constituting; the complete mold cavity. As the section of the mold l is a complete ring and having an annular trough like cavity about its outer periphery,y

the tube, which ismade of green rubber, and partially inflated, can be easily insertedvin thes'ection l and will seat in the trough or cavity about the ring. It will be observed that the walls of the inner section l extend upwardly so thatthe outer diameters theret of extend tothe median line of the finished tube and consequently slightly above `the median line of the partially inated tubefso that t-he vsides oi the tube are fully supported by the walls ot the innersections and cannot overhang; and be pinched upon closing the mold. Vhen the sections 3 and 4, which are also provided with an annular cavity in their inner faces, are brought together by the mechanism which will be described, the closing; of' the mold is accomplished without dancer of pinching the tube. One of the broader aspects of the invention consists of the manner in which the inner tube molding cavity isdivided and the meansr for moving the outer sections towards and away from the inner section is not necessarily confined to the particular arrangement here shown. nor need the number and arrangement of outer sections be adhered to.

The inner section is preferably carried in an upright position being' mounted by lugs 5 upon the face of a vertical standard ory support 6. lThe outer sections 3 and 4: are hinged together at the lowermostpoint on the mold being' counectedby ya horizontal hippie pin 7. The outer sections of the mold are opened and closed by aniT suitable mechanism the specific form herein shownvand described' beinenon-essential to those aspects of the invention which relate to the sreneral design and arrangement of the mold.,

The inner and outer sections of the mold are hollowed or chambered torI the circulation ot steam which furnishes the heat required for vulcanization, the necessary inlets and outlets being provided as required. rlhe tube within the mold is indicated by the numeral 10, the inner section being` j rovided with an aperture through which the valve stem 12 projects. rlhe tube is partially inflated so that it will properly round out for positioning within the mold and is `further inflated during vulcanization by air or water admitted through the valve stem.

In the present form or" the invention two sections 3 and 4, constituting the expanible jacket for the vulcanizer, are rocked about the hinge pin so as to open the chamber and permit the placement and removal ot the tube. At the same time it is necessary to shift the two sections 3 and 4 relative to the mold so as to insure easy access to the inner mold section. rlhe mechanim tor doing this will now be described.

On the upper end ot each section is formed a lug` 14 to which is pivoted a link 15. the links extending toward one another and being pivoted at their other ends to arms 16 which extend upwardly from gear segments 18 which are pivoted at 19 to the rear ot the standard 6. The gear sections face one another and are in mesh with a vertically movable rack 20 which is carried upon the upper end of a piston 22 moved in a cylinder 23 which is secured to the rear ot the standard. Fluid prezsure is used to move the piston and as the rack 20 rises or falls the segments are rocked, which in turn opens or closes the sections 3 and 4 ot the tube mold. the stroke of the piston limiting the outward swinging of the sections. In order to lock the sections 3 and 4 together a catch 25 is pivoted to one of the sections and is provided with a swinging cam lock 26 which engages with a lug 27'on the other swinging section.

It is necessary for the sections 3 and 4 to move away Jfrom the section 1 as well as to open and close and this is accomplished by so mounting these sections that as they open the whole unit will move downwardlv trom the section 1. In order to accomplish this result in the torm shown, one ot the swinging sections. here shown as the section 4. has secured to it a rigid cam plate 30. and secured to the front ot the standard G a bracket 31 which supports a bearingroller 32 on which the cam rides. It will be observed that the cam 30 has a horizontal surface 33 which bears against the roller when the mold sections are closed, and a surface 34 upon which the unit is supported when the Sections are opened, as shown in dotted line position in Figure 1. rllhese two surfaces are connected by an inclined surface which travels over the roller 32 when the sections 'are being opened and closed. The cam being rigidly connected with the section 4 causes the travel ot these surfaces over the cam during the rocking movement. In order to properly guide the sections ot the mold a link 3S is pivotally connected at its upper end to the cam and at its lower end to a bracket 40 mounted in the standard.

rlhe operation orn the apparatus is as follows: The vulcanizer being open, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, the green, unvulcanized tube, partially inflated, is placed over the inner ring shaped mold section, the valve stem being inserted in position. The tube is thus easily andquickly placed in position and no part of the tube is liable to project beyond the ring in `such position that it may be pinched. Presure is then admitted to the cylinder and the rack 2O is lowered, which rocks the segments 13 and moves the sections 3 and 4 together, the complete jacket rising well as closing due to the action of the cani 30. lVhen the sections are closed the mold is locked by the cam lock and the tube is securely held within the mold. rI`he tube is then iniiated and will receive the required cure. The vulcanizer sections being heated at all times through the steam chambers Jherein, the operation of vulcanization is ca" fied forward very rapidly. lWhen the vulcanization is complete the mold is opened by a reversal ot the operations.

The apparatus shown herein is highly successtul in the iield to which it is particularly adapted. but the features of invention contained therein are capable of wider range ot operation as will be understood by thoe skilled in the art. The arrangement ttor supporting and moving the outside sections which constitute the jacket about the inner or stationary vulcanizer section gives maximum range ot movement to these parts so that ample clearance is provided for removal and replacement oit the tube, but other mechanism may be designed operatingl upon similar principles and coming within the broad scope ot the invention.

VVha-tis claimed is:

1. A vulcanizer comprising a stationary section and a pair of movable sections hinged together and means to rock the hinged sections toward and from the stationary section, comprising a movable piston, a rack carried thereby, gears meshing with the rack and connected to the gears and to the hinged sections.

2. A vulcanizer comprising` a stationary section. a pair of movable sections hinged together and means to open and close the hinged sections about the stationary section comprising a movable rack. gears meshing with the rack and arms connected to the gears and to the hinged sections.

3. A vulcanizer comprising` a stationary section, and a rocking; section movable toward and away from the stationary seetion, a rack, a gear meshing with the rack gears and to the hinged sections, and meansy to shift the hinged sections and stationary section relativelyfto one another during the lmovement of the former.

5. A vulcanizer comprising a stationary section, a pair of movable sections hinged together and means to open and close the hinged sections about the stationary section ,comprising a movable rack, `gears meshing with the rack and arms connected to the gears and to the hinged sections. Vand means to shift the hinged lsections and stationary section relatively to' one another during the movement of the former.

6. A vulcanizer comprising` a stationary section. andv a rocking section movable toward and from the stationary section, a rack, a gear meshing with the rack and a link connected to the gear and to the hinged sections and means to shift the hinged sections and stationary section relatively to one another duringl the rocking movement of the former.

7. In a device of the character described a stationary vulcanizer section and a pivoted vulcanizer section adapted to be rocked aboutv its pivot toward and from the stationary section, a supporting roller therefor, a cam on the pivoted section resting upon `the roller and movable thereon during the pivotal movement to bodily shift the section relative to the stationary section simultaneously with its rocking movement.

8v In a device of thecharacter described a stationary vulcanizer section and a pivoted vulcanizer sectionadapted to be moved about its pivottoward and from ,the stationary section.l a cam for supporting the pivoted section. the shape of the cam cau-sling the y pivoted section to shift bodily relatively to the stationary ysection vsimultaneously with its pivotal movement. y 4

9. In a device of the character described a stationaryvulcanizer section and a movable vulcanizer section capable of being moved toward and from the stationary section, a cam for supporting the movable sec-r hinge rto open and close the jacket about the stationary section, a supporting roller for the jacket, and a cam on one of the sections thereof resting upon the roller and movable thereon during the opening and closing of the jacket to bodily shift the jacket relative to the stationary section.

l1. In a device of the character described, a stationary vulcanizersection and a `jacket therefor comprising two sections hinged together and adapted to be moved about the hinge to open and close the jacket about the stationary section, and a cam for supporting the acket, the shape of the cam Acausing the jacket to bodily shift yrelrtively tothe stationary section simultaneously with the opening and closing of the jacket.

l2. In device of the character described,

a stationary central vulcanizer section having a. trough like recess about its out-er periphery adapted to forni a seat for the inner periphery of an inner tube, and an expansible jacket about th-e stationary section capable of being moved toward and from said section, said jacket being` formed in segments hinged together and having a trough Alike recess about its inner surface adapted to complete the vulcanizing cavity, and a. cam to shift the jacket relatively to the stationary section during the operations of the jacket.

13. In a device of the character described, a stationary central -vulcanizer section having a trough like recess about its outer periphery adapted to form a seat forthe inner periphery of an inner tube, and an expansible jacket about the stationary section capable of being moved toward and from said section. said jacket being formed in segments hinged together and having a trough like recess about its inner surface adapted to complete the vulcanizing),- cavity, and a cam which th-e cam moves acting` to shift the jacket relatively to the stationary section during the operations of the jacket.

11i. In a device of the character described, a stationary vulcanizer section, a swinging vulcanizer section, a cam rigid with said swinging section, a roller for supporting the cam, and a swinging link also connected to the section and operable to maintain the cam in contact with the roller at all times during the swinging movement of the section.

15. In a device of the character described, a stationary vulcanizer section, a swinging vulcanizer section adapt-ed to be swung toward and from the stationary se ,tion,v a cam rigid with said swinging section. a roller for supporting the cam. and' a swinging link also connected to the section and operable 'to maintain the cam in contact with the roller at all times duringthe swinging movement of the section, the surface of the cam on the jacket and a'supporting roller over j llO being shaped to cause the swinging section to approach or recede from the stationary section.

1G. A mold having a cavity therein for the shaping of an inner tube, the mold being separated to permit of removal and replacement ot' the tube along a surface which intersects the central plane oi the tube, the inner portion ot the mold thereby having a. trough-shaped cavity about its outer surface in which the inner peripheral surface of the tube may seat due to its inherent contractile property, and the outer portion having a similarly trough-shaped cavity on its inner surface.

i7. A mold having a cavity therein for the shaping` of an inner tube, the mold being` separated to permit of removal and replacement ot the tube along a surface which intersects the central plane of the tube at approximately its median lines, thel inner portion ot' the mold thereby han/ing` a trough-shaped cavity about its outer surface in which the inner peripheral surface ot the tube may seat due to its inherent contractile property, and the outer portion having a similarly trough-shaped cavity on its inner surface.

1S. A mold for the vulcanization ol' inner tubes, Said mold Comprising separable sections, one of which is an annular inner section having a. trough shaped caNit-y, the Walls of the inner section being oi' a diameter not less than the `diameter of tie median line of the green tube inflated substantially to size, so that the sides oil the tube are supported by the inner section'- Walls, and oyerhanging of the tube is eliininated prior to the closing ot the mold sections.

19. A mold for the vulcanization ot inner tubes, said mold Comprising separable sections one ot which is an annular heated inner section having a trough shaped cavity, the Walls oit' the inner section being oi" a ldiameter not less than the diameter ot the median line of the green tube iniiated substantially to size, so that the sides ot the tube are supported by the inner section Walls and overhanging of the tube is eliminated prior to the closing ot' the mold sections.

OTTO J. KUHLKE. 

